3 Biggest X-Factors For Steelers to Defeat Saints in France

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be heading out to France to take on the New Orleans Saints in an international game this week.

Pittsburgh will be coming into the game with a record of 4-2 on the season, coming off a big overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Steelers have now won two straight games, and they will be looking to keep everything rolling against New Orleans.

The Saints will enter the game with a record of 2-4, but the team did grab a win over the New York Giants a week ago. The 2026 season hasn't gone to plan for New Orleans so far, and the Steelers will try to keep things that way this week.

Here are three of the biggest X-Factors for the Steelers to come out with a win against the Saints in France:

1. Get the Offense Going Early

Last week against the Buccaneers, the Steelers offense was slow to get rolling, putting the team in a tough hole. While Pittsburgh was able to overcome the deficit, this won't be the case every week, and the Steelers need to get started much earlier in the game.

New Orleans is a better team than Tampa Bay, and if the Steelers go down to them early on, it will be much tougher to make a comeback. Pittsburgh has to generate points throughout the game, offering the team a much better chance to come out with the win.

2. Protect Aaron Rodgers

The Steelers have allowed 19 sacks this season on Rodgers, which isn't going to get the job done for a team with title aspirations. Against the Saints, the Steelers are going to have to figure out how to neutralize the strong pass rush of New Orleans.

The Saints have a nice duo of Chase Young and Carl Granderson, who could could real issues for this Pittsburgh offensive line if the team isn't careful. Keeping Rodgers up right, while giving him time to throw the ball will be massive in this game.

3. Keep Tyler Shough in the Pocket.

Saints signal-caller Tyler Shough has been up and down this year, but he can cause a lot of trouble whenever he gets out of the pocket. The Steelers are going to have to try to keep him as strictly a passer in this game, generating pressure on this offense.

New Orleans does have strong pass-catchers to work with, but Shough is at his best when he can keep plays alive with his legs. Steelers pass rushers are going to need to contain him in the best way possible to give Pittsburgh a chance to win.